Free 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, indicating important details about where and by whom a vehicle was made. For instance, the WMI for a 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 indicates that it was manufactured by Mercedes-Benz Cars in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The WMI forms the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is a unique code used to identify individual motor vehicles. For the 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380, the WMI code “WDB” signifies its German origin and specifies the manufacturer as Mercedes-Benz, providing a quick reference for decoding essential vehicle information. This system enables easier registration, theft prevention, and identification of vehicles on a global scale.

List of WMI Codes for a 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380

WMI: WDB

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1985
• Example VIN: WDBCA32A1EA055087
• Manufacturer Name: Mercedes-Benz Cars
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Stuttgart
• State or Province: Baden-Württemberg
• Country: Germany

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

• Engine type
• Transmission
• Model or trim
• Body style
• Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380:

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380

The final 6 characters in a 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1984, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Plant Location: The VIN discloses the manufacturing location, pinpointing it to Sindelfingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, which can be crucial for understanding the origin and potential quality standards of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Specifications: Basic specifications such as the Mercedes-Benz 380 model, series 380SL, and other specifics like it being a roadster with 2 doors are encoded within the VIN.
• Safety Features: Insights into the vehicle’s safety features, like the presence of a 3 Point Outer Seats and Lap Belt (Center Rear), indicating the types of restraint systems equipped, can be derived from the VIN, providing information on the safety measures of the vehicle.
• Seat Belt Type: The VIN indicates the type of seat belts used in the vehicle, with this example featuring manual seat belts, giving details about the safety equipment in the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: It can specify the vehicle type, in this case, a Passenger Car, and further detail on the body class as a Roadster, providing a clearer picture of the vehicle’s design and intended use.
• Vehicle Descriptor: A unique segment of the VIN, such as “WDBBA45A*EA” for this vehicle, gives detailed information related to the vehicle’s specifications and manufacturer data, offering specific details about the vehicle’s features and characteristics.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380